“These aren’t real fresh flowers. You can touch them if you don’t believe me. They’re dried flowers,” Youqing explained.
Upon hearing this, Sangzhu actually reached out and touched it. It really was dried flowers. Fresh flowers are tender and have a velvety texture on the surface, but dried flowers are different. They feel a bit rough to the touch. Although it's not obvious, there is an essential difference.
"Really, that's quite something, to be able to come up with such a method."
Dehydrating fresh flowers isn't difficult, but preserving them to such a "vibrant" state is quite remarkable. The paint on them must have been applied later, and it's impressive that Jiang Baiqing was able to find so many colors.
"Jiang Baiqing sent quite a lot this time. Take these flowers to Yan Yue Pavilion and use them as gifts for the guests. If the guests like them, we'll have Jiang Baiqing send some more."
"Yes, Master."
Some of the preserved flowers were sent to Yan Yuege, and some were kept for Youqing. When Kangxi came over for dinner that evening, he saw them and said, "You planted flowers in the greenhouse. Not bad, they look quite nice."
Although the weather has warmed up, it's impossible to grow flowers like the ones in the vase under these conditions. Kangxi guessed they must have been grown in a greenhouse.
Then Kangxi continued, "The gardener's skills are quite good. I'll send someone over to learn from him later."
There are also florists in the palace who specialize in cultivating flowers and plants. It is common for them to grow flowers in greenhouses during winter, but the flowers they grow are not very good and do not look as good as the ones in her vase.
"These flowers were sent from Yunnan."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi looked on with disbelief. How could this be? Flowers from Yunnan, even if transported to the capital at the fastest speed, would not be this fresh even if they did not wither.
"That can't be right?!"
"They are dried flowers. You can touch them to see if you don't believe me."
Emperor Kangxi tried it and found that it really was dried flowers.
"How did you do that?"
Emperor Kangxi had seen many fine things, but he had never seen anything like this before.
Youqing explained that Kangxi had taken quite a lot with him when he left the next day.
Inside Yan Yue Pavilion in the capital city.
"Please take care, madam. This is a complimentary gift from our little shop."
After she finished speaking, the girl Yan Yuege called over brought a bouquet of preserved flowers.
The lady was astonished to see such vibrant flowers at this time of year. "How did you grow these flowers? Our gardeners have put in a lot of effort to care for the plants, but they can't grow such fresh flowers at this time of year. It's truly remarkable."
The girl explained with a smile, "These flowers were sent from Yunnan. They were preserved using a special method of dehydration. The owner named them 'Eternal Flowers.' As long as they are not deliberately damaged, they will remain the same even after a year or two."
The lady was taken aback. Such a flower? How rare! It stays so vibrant for a year and a half. If it were placed in the house as decoration, it would brighten the room considerably.
Since there weren't many flowers as a free gift, the lady asked, "I wonder if these flowers are for sale?"
If it's for sale, it doesn't matter if the price is a bit higher.
The girl in the shop said, "It's our honor that you like them, Madam, but there aren't many of these flowers. The owner only said they're for free gifts, and I'm afraid there won't be enough to go around."
The lady was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this: "I see! In that case, if you ever decide to sell it, please let me know."
"Don't worry, Madam. If these flowers become available for sale someday, I will personally go and inform you."
After seeing off one lady, another came, one after another. The guests who received the preserved flower couldn't help but ask, knowing that the flower could be preserved for a long time, they all planned to buy more, but when they asked, they were told that it was not for sale.
Jiang Baiqing actually sent a considerable amount of flowers, but Yan Yuege was a busy business, and many people were willing to spend a lot of money there. So, the flowers ran out in just a few days.
Cheng Ying: "Master, the manager of Yan Yue Pavilion sent word that the preserved flowers have all been delivered, and many ladies and young misses have asked if they can be bought or sold."
"I understand. Send this letter to Yunnan."
"yes."
The preserved flowers were indeed a gift from Yan Yuege, and the ladies of wealthy families certainly liked them. However, these were not necessities; they liked them, but they could accept not having them.
However, an incident occurred at a banquet at Prince Gong's Mansion that made preserved flowers extremely popular among high-ranking officials and nobles.
Here's what happened: Mingshan, the eldest princess of Prince Gong's Mansion, was raised in the palace from a young age. At eighteen, she was betrothed to a first-class Taiji from the Borjigit clan of the Khorchin. The wedding was to take place the following year. For the past two years, Emperor Kangxi had been living in Muqing Garden, while the eldest princess was raised in the palace. All matters were handled by the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager lived with Emperor Kangxi in Muqing Garden. Remembering that she had lived in the palace since childhood, the Empress Dowager ordered her to go home for a while so that she could get closer to her father and mother.
This banquet was prepared by Madam Ma, the wife of Prince Gong, to welcome Mingshan.
Although Mingshan was born out of wedlock, she was raised in the palace and treated as a princess. The palace has given her the imperial decree that she will be granted the title of princess when she gets married next year.
Therefore, even though Ma was the primary wife, she still treated Mingshan, her illegitimate daughter, with great deference.
So this banquet was quite large.
"Princess, it's almost time. The Princess Consort requests your presence."
"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Mother. And thank you for making the trip, Granny."
"Your Highness is right. It is my honor to be able to relay your message."
This nanny was Madam Ma's wet nurse, her confidante. Madam Ma treated Mingshan, her illegitimate daughter, with great favor, so naturally, the nanny beside her also fawned over Mingshan.
Mingshan followed the nanny to the main courtyard. After paying her respects, Madam Ma said, "Quickly sit down and let's talk."
"Thank you, Mother." She then sat down.
"It's been two days since you came back. Are you getting used to the food and lodging? If not, tell your mother and she'll have someone bring you a new one."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
